All layoffs suck, but letting Don go is a huge mistake for Microsoft. He nearly singlehandedly defends the Microsoft brand in a fairly anti-Microsoft developer and user community. For many people in the startup community, Don is the face of Microsoft. He travels constantly, speaking at events whenever he’s asked, and makes a big effort to give young startups the attention they deserve. This is a guy who gives a heck of a lot more to the community than he ever takes back.

Dodge himself wrote about being laid off on his personal blog, where he said is excited about the future.

“This is pretty standard procedure, mostly for legal reasons, but none the less left me with a cold feeling … but only for a minute or two,” he wrote.

“Today I start thinking about the next chapter in my life. It is always exciting to look beyond your normal boundaries and think about new possibilities. Being totally consumed with my job and traveling every week has left no time to think about other opportunities. That changes today.”

Dodge joined Microsoft in November 2004 and was mainly based in the Boston area, according to his LinkedIn profile. He previously held similar positions at deNovis, Groove Networks, Napster, AltaVista and Compaq.